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      Kai Havertz reveals his girlfriend has gone through ‘tough’ time with Chelsea star’s form damaging personal life

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      KAI HAVERTZ has revealed his girlfriend has also been struggling during the Chelsea forward’s poor run of form.Heading into March, the German, 23, had bagged just six goals and one assist in all competitions this season.
      Kai Havertz has struggled for goals this seasonCredit: Rex
      The German has spoken about the struggles for his partner Sophia WeberCredit: Instagram
      But back-to-back goals against Borussia Dortmund and Leicester have coincided with an upturn in results for Graham Potter’s side.
      They have secured three victories in a row to alleviate pressure from the Stamford Bridge faithful.
      And Havertz has now taken the opportunity to speak out about the issues he has been going through in his personal life, namely the stress put on partner, Sophia Weber.
      He said: “Football is our life. If you lose a game, of course you don’t have an easy life as well.
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      Sophia has 300,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
      She supported Germany’s Havertz at the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last yearCredit: Getty
      The couple have shared several pictures together on social mediaCredit: Instagram @sophiaaemelia
      “I think everyone at home, especially my girlfriend, has had some tough weeks as well in the last weeks and months. I think she is happy now again and so am I.
      “For you guys, it is the same – if you have a bad day at work… you… I won’t say the word now but you don’t feel good.
      “Football is a game where we have a lot of pressure on our shoulders.
      “We want to make the fans happy and if you don’t make them happy then you don’t have a good time.
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      “Winning is always the best, we won again so we can enjoy some days.”
      Potter came out in defence of Havertz’s selection ahead of the win over Leicester, with the ex-Brighton boss having stuck with the Germany international during a difficult run.
      He said: “I have no doubt about Kai. He’s a top player, delivers in the big moments, gives his best for the team all the time, and runs himself into the ground.
      “He probably benefited from playing a slightly different position [against Dortmund] but whenever you ask him to do he does his best.
      “That’s a great starting point. He’s still young and he’s got all the attributes to be a top player, score goals, assists, help the team. He can be an all-around fantastic attacking player.”
      Chelsea are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League following a 2-1 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund.
      Successive wins over Leeds and Leicester have also moved them to within one point of ninth-place Brentford in the Premier League table.
      However, they are still 11 points adrift of the Champions League places.
      The Blues’ final game before the international break comes at home to Everton on Saturday.
      Havertz and Sophia celebrated Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2021Credit: Getty More

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      David Brooks hails ‘special’ Liverpool win as Bournemouth star returned for first time in 529 days after cancer battle

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      DAVID BROOKS hailed the ‘special’ feeling of returning to Bournemouth’s squad for the first time in 529 days following his cancer diagnosis.The Wales attacker, 25, was a substitute in the Cherries’ 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Saturday.
      David Brooks, centre, came off the bench in the win over LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      His return to the pitch comes just five months after being given the all clearCredit: Getty
      Brooks was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021 but revealed he was ‘cancer free’ last October.
      Brooks tweeted: “529 days I’ve had to wait for that feeling!
      “Been a long wait and a very difficult period for me and my family but to be able to step back on that football pitch and feel part of the team again was special!
      “Thanks to all the fans for the great reception.”
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      Brooks’ return to Bournemouth first-team action saw him receive a warm welcome from team-mates and fans at the Vitality Stadium.
      And he could now be in contention to make a Wales comeback this week.
      Boss Robert Page names his squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia on Tuesday.
      Brooks, who has won 21 caps, last played for Wales against Denmark at the last-16 stage of Euro 2020.
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      But the former Sheffield United winger linked up with Page’s squad at the World Cup in Qatar last November.
      Aaron Ramsey returned from a hamstring injury for Nice in a 2-2 draw at Nantes on Sunday but Page will be sweating over news on injuries to Wayne Hennessey and Brennan Johnson.
      Hennessey was named on the bench and pulled out of the warm up before Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 loss to Spurs while Johnson limped off in the second half.
      Forest boss Steve Cooper said: “Wayne felt his knee so was unable to go on the bench. Brennan went off with a groin strain, which we don’t know how bad it is. We’ll see over the next day or two.”
      Jonny Williams became the fourth player to retire from Wales since the World Cup, joining Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Chris Gunter.
      The Swindon midfielder, 29, won 33 caps and said: “I have decided that the time is right for me to step back and retire from international football. From the age of 15, it has been an absolute honour and privilege to wear the red dragons on my shirt.
      “Going to two European championships and a World Cup was beyond my wildest dreams but it was all made possible together.” More

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      Mikel Arteta fires warning to Gabriel Jesus after Arsenal injury return as boss reveals behind-the-scenes chats with ace

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      GABRIEL JESUS was warned he will not walk straight back into Arsenal’s title-chasing team.Mikel Arteta celebrated his 100th win as Gunners boss as they restored their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table.
      Gabriel Jesus returned from injury with a substitute appearance on SundayCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Jesus came on in the second half of Arsenal’s win over FulhamCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And he was further cheered by the return of Jesus for his first appearance since injuring his knee on World Cup duty for Brazil in December.
      Speaking after an impressive 3-0 win at Fulham, Arteta said: “It’s great to have him back and it was such a big boost for Gabi and for the club. But now he has to earn his place in the team like every player.
      “We have many alternatives who can play in different positions and fill in the chemistry of what we ask the players to do.
      “But it’s a great problem to have because Gabi put so much work into the last few months and all the staff spent hours trying to fulfil his needs.”
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      Forward Jesus, 25, came on as a 77th-minute sub.
      Arteta added: “He wanted more and more to come back and it was a real joy to see him at the final whistle with a big smile on his face.
      “We didn’t know if it was the right game for him. He said to me a few days ago, ‘I’m still missing something’, but yesterday he looked into my eyes and said ‘OK, I’m ready’.
      “So we had that opportunity to throw him in for the last 20 minutes and straight away he looked free and generated two big chances.”
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      First-half goals from defender Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin  Odegaard made it a comfortable afternoon for Arteta, who said: “I didn’t know it was the 100th win but hopefully there will be many more.
      “It’s really tough when you are playing every three days and travelling to Europe and back.
      “So to see our energy, quality, understanding and willingness to dominate again was very impressive.
      “Fulham is a tough place to come but we dominated the game, created lots of chances, kept a clean sheet and won in a convincing way.”
      Captain Odegaard said: “Having Gabi back is a massive boost. We all know what he will give to the team and we’re excited he’s available again.”
      Fulham chief Marco Silva blasted: “Arsenal deserved the three points but for the first half it looked like we weren’t on the pitch.
      “We were too soft, not brave or aggressive enough and we let them play  the way they wanted to.
      “All three goals were completely our fault.” More

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      Pep Guardiola identifies why Arsenal are pipping Man City in Prem title race as he takes swipe at his own stars

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      PEP GUARDIOLA took a swipe at his Manchester City title-chasers after declaring Arsenal have shown more desire than them to win the Premier league.The City boss breathed a sigh of relief as his side kept up the pressure on the Gunners with a hard-earned 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday, thanks to Erling Haaland’s 78th penalty.
      Pep Guardiola has explained why Man City are lagging behind Arsenal in the title raceCredit: PA
      Arsenal responded with a 3-0 win at Fulham on Sunday to maintain their five-point lead.
      But Guardiola also praised Mikel Arteta’s side for their late shows this season which have included winners in injury-time against Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth.
      Guardiola said: “They have gone many years without winning the Premier League and that has given them a little bit extra to win games, as they have after 93, 96, or 98 minutes.
      “That desire is something they have that we don’t because we have won back-to-back titles.
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      “Normally in this country, when you win something and then you don’t start the season well or another team is better, you drop this consistency.
      “Arsenal are the favourites because they are in front, but still we are there. This is the best trophy, and I don’t know what is going to happen at the end of the season, but they know we want to be there. We will fight to be there, and this is great.
      “The composure with which we played against Palace, the few chances we conceded and the desire to win the game – because we wanted to win this game to be close to Arsenal – that is the best thing for my team.”
      A third successive victory for City equalled their longest winning streak in the league this season and kept them within striking distance of a fifth title in six years.
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      It set them up for another crucial week which sees the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against RB Leipzig next, before an FA Cup quarter-final against Burnley, led by their former skipper Vincent Kompany.
      However, Guardiola insisted that City’s experience of being in these situations counted for nothing.
      Guardiola added: “If experience works, the team who wins the previous season will win it every single season. Experience in sport is no chance.
      “Look at Liverpool who lost against Bournemouth on Saturday, a team who a few months ago they beat 9-0. Everything is so difficult. What you have done in the past is in the past.
      “You have to do it again because football is unpredictable. Nobody expects many things that happen in football – people take it for granted, but that is not the truth.” More

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      Arsenal fan Laura Woods has Piers Morgan in stitches with SAVAGE put-down of rude Spurs supporter on Twitter

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      ARSENAL fan Laura Woods had fellow Gooner Piers Morgan in stitches on social media.That’s after her savage put-down of a very rude Tottenham supporter on Twitter.
      Laura Woods got a raucous response from Piers Morgan after her reply to a Spurs fanCredit: Instagram / @laurawoodsy
      Morgan and Woods are both fervent Arsenal supportersCredit: Getty
      Woods, 35, is a popular pundit known for her work on talkSPORT and Sky Sports.
      But she also enjoys keeping an eagle eye on her beloved Arsenal.
      The Gunners are storming towards their first Premier League title since 2004.
      And Woods has made no secret of her happiness watching Mikel Arteta’s men rack up the wins.
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      Arsenal kept their five-point lead over Man City with a 3-0 win at Fulham on Sunday.
      This prompted an excited Woods to tweet: “Oi, what you got there?”
      But one bitter Spurs fan failed to see the funny side and instead responded with a vile message.
      He said: “Bore off, you woke Arsenal b***h.”
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      The vile message on TwitterCredit: @laura_woodsy, @piersmorgan
      This did little to deter Woods though, who came out swinging with a brilliant comeback.
      She fired: “Insulting me still won’t make your team fun to watch, Julian.”
      Woods’ response certainly hit the right notes with fellow Arsenal supporter Morgan.
      The TalkTV host showed his enthusiasm for the comeback with a series of laughing emojis and a thumbs up.
      Morgan has been equally vocal in his backing of Arteta this term.
      And in January he admitted he was “completely wrong” to misjudge the Spaniard.
      Morgan wrote in The Sun: “Arsenal’s transformation from mid-table mediocrity to a properly competitive team again has been stunning to watch.
      “And it’s all down to Arteta, who if I’d had my way would have been abruptly sent packing eight months ago.
      “We may not win the League because City’s oil-rich squad is so vast in comparative world class.
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      “But we’ve got a great chance because Arteta believes we can, his players believe we can and the fans believe we can.
      “And to Arteta, I say: I’m sorry for doubting you, Mikel. You’re the real deal. Keep up the great work.” More

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      Man City target Ben Chilwell could lead TWELVE-MAN Chelsea clearout with Mount and Kovacic also at risk

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      CHELSEA could be set to offload up to a whopping TWELVE players in the summer.That is according to The Athletic, who claim Ben Chilwell could lead a mass clearout from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
      Chelsea star Ben Chilwell could spark a mass clearout with Manchester City interestedCredit: Splash
      Mateo Kovacic could leave with his Chelsea contract running out next yearCredit: Getty
      Chelsea ace Mason Mount has also yet to agree a new contract with the clubCredit: PA
      They say exit by Chilwell “can not be ruled out” as Manchester City have shown “genuine” interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
      City manager Pep Guardiola is in need of a left-back after Joao Cancelo joined Bayern Munich on loan with an option to buy in January.
      Guardiola also kept tabs on the England international back in 2020 before he joined Chelsea for £50million from Leicester.
      But the Blues may have to offload a number of other players and could raise as much as £264m.
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      The West Londoners have spent a whopping £600MILLION since new owner Todd Boehly took over from Roman Abramovich eight months ago and are looking to make even more additions.
      But room will have to be made with Graham Potter’s side already having sealed the signing of RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku for next season.
      Mason Mount could follow Chilwell as he has yet to agree on a new deal, while his current contract runs out next year.
      Manchester United, Liverpool and City are all keen on the England man.
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      The same goes for Mateo Kovacic, whereas Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have fallen out of favour.
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      Cesar Azpilicueta has reached the advanced age of 33 years old and almost left for Barcelona in the summer.
      Conor Gallagher almost left in January and the same goes for Hakim Ziyech, who missed out on a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain after a bureaucracy gaffe.
      Armando Broja had been struggling for opportunities before his injury.
      Kai Havertz has been a focal point for Chelsea but has only managed six goals in 25 Premier League appearances this season and fans are growing increasingly frustrated.
      And Raheem Sterling has struggled to impress since his arrival last summer, although his agent has said he wants to stay.
      It is unlikely that all 12 of those players will leave in the summer, but space might need to open up after a busy January transfer window. More

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      Arsenal stars pose with huge clock in dressing room after win over Fulham – and fans have theory about why

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      ARSENAL stars celebrated their win over Fulham by posing with a giant CLOCK.And fans reckon they have cracked the code already with a brilliant theory.
      Arsenal made light work of Fulham on Sunday with Gabriel among the scorersCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Arsenal posed with a giant clock after beating Fulham 3-0Credit: @zinchenko_96
      Many thought Fulham could provide a banana skin for the Premier League leaders on Sunday, with the hosts turning Craven Cottage into a mini-fortress this season.
      But Mikel Arteta’s men had other ideas as they came away with a stunning 3-0 win, sealed entirely in the first half.
      Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard saw Arsenal remain five points clear of Manchester City.
      And with the season nearing its end, not many are betting against the Gunners lifting their first title since 2004.
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      Indeed, Arsenal’s first-team squad looked proud as punch as they posed for a post-match picture in the dressing room.
      Bizarrely, a giant clock took centre stage in the snap, leaving many puzzled.
      But super-sleuth supporters reckon the hidden message was on full display the entire time.
      Arsenal’s clock hands were signalled at 11 and 2.
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      And fans believe it was code for “11 games 2 go” before the end of the season, with the Gunners having so far played 27 out of their 38 matches.
      One delighted Gooner declared: “Arteta defo showed this clock to the team during the prematch team talk.”
      Another said: “This is mad cryptic.”
      One noted: “What a mentality you have.”
      Another added: “My team until the end.” More

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      Conte enjoys day out in London with his wife after Tottenham win but Instagram post is hijacked by Inter Milan fans

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      ANTONIO CONTE enjoyed some family time in the capital on Sunday – but it led to Inter Milan supporters begging him to return.Fans turned on the Italian last Wednesday after Spurs were dumped out of the Champions League by AC Milan.
      Inter Milan fans have begged Antonio Conte to return to the clubCredit: Alamy
      The Italian and his wife Elisabetta Muscarello hit Piccadilly Circus on SundayCredit: Instagram
      That followed the previous week’s shock FA Cup exit courtesy of Championship side Sheffield United.
      The 53-year-old’s future remains unclear in North London with his contract set to expire in the summer.
      And an ever-growing number of supporters have been calling for him to be replaced by ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino in the dug-out.
      But Conte, who was recently sidelined after undergoing gallbladder surgery, gained some respite as Spurs beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.
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      He and his wife Elisabetta Muscarello decided to celebrate by hitting the town earlier for a bout of sight-seeing on Sunday.
      And Conte shared a snap of themselves posing at Piccadilly Circus onto his Instagram account, which he captioned: “Out and about in London.”
      However, his post was soon hijacked by Inter fans, the club he led to the 2021 Serie A title, begging him to return to the club.
      “Antó return to Inter,” pleaded one.
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      Another commented: “Mister come back because the air is not good for you there.
      “We’ll be waiting for you.”
      As a fellow Inter supporter wrote: “The dream is that next year Milan will be in the picture.”
      Inter, who currently have Simone inzaghi in charge, suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Spezia on Friday night to leave them in second, 18 points behind leaders Napoli. More